KDS-18–No Drain, No Gain

[jacz219]

Hello everyone!

I had posted before about the front panels on my KDS-18. The dishwasher is installed in the kitchen and was working marvelous until it overfilled and will not drain.

I kept hitting cancel drain to no avail and I heard the timer fast forwarding through all the cycles. It washes pretty quiet for such an old dishwasher I have to admit and it sprays so good!

My question is, where should I be looking for a culprit? The machine still sprays water and cycles but it will not drain. It was professionally installed by a contractor, (He did look at me like I was crazy when I had the two year old appliances removed for my KDS-18, avocado Montgomery Ward Frostless 18 Refriferator, and Signature Menu Magic stove in avocado).

I unfortunately know nothing about repairs. I just wanted to recreate the vintage kitchen look for my grandmother and I.

Thanks so much!

 

[stevet]

Snap! ( No Crackle or Pop)

You should be hearing a very distinct snapping sound whenever the timer moves to a drain segment or when you hit the cancel/drain button. If you don't, then you may have a bad drain valve.
But I would say this. Turn of the power to the machine, take off the bottom panels and look for the wires that connect to the drain valve located under the front cross member, on an additional bracket. It has a red colored coil and a white drain body. Make sure none of the wires fell off of it. They may have loosened up when they installed it or worked themselves loose. Reattach the wire(s) and it should start working again.
Keep us posted. It is a simple fix and easy to replace if need be.

 

[jacz219]

Oh, Snap!

Stevet,

There is no snap! I was moving boxes in today and listened for the snap and heard nothing. I’ll take the front off and I’ll look for the red wires and the drain body. My question is, if they’re attached, where can I find a new drain valve? I’m assuming it could be a daunting task considering the age of the machine. There’s some Hobart kitchen aids for sale in the area, KDS17 and a few 20s. All under 25 dollars. Would one work from those machines?

I know you’re the expert. I promise to post pictures from when it’s done. My machine came from a house where it was used twice since new. Owner preferred to wash the dishes by hand.

 

[combo52]

No Snap From The Drain Valve

You should have a pink and white wire attached to the drain valve, try attaching a test light to these two wires and see if it lights when the DW goes to drain, if so get another DV, with little effort you can use the DV from any KD15-20 series KA DW to fix yours.

 

John L.

 

[askolover]

repairclinic.com

https://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Drain-Solenoid-Kit/4163075/2457?modelNumber=KDS-18

 

cheaper on ebay

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[jacz219]

There’s a Click!

Golly me. I’m finally living in the new place. So much to do yet. My Montgomery Ward Frostless 18 works like a dream as well as my Signature Menu Magic Stove. The dishwasher still will not drain. My KDS-18 was barely used by its previous owner and it shows. Everything is great until it goes to drain. Stevet said to listen for a click, it’s clicking and the plumbing is properly hooked up.

Any suggestions before I call an appliance person to steal my money and overcharge me to fix this dream machine? I have the Frigidaire Gallery that was in its spot in the spare room and I don’t want to put it in. It’ll totally throw off the kitchen. It works, but I want to use my superb Superba.